CAMBRIDGE — Council has loosened strict rules around construction of a subdivision near a bald eagle habitat so homes can be finished on time.

Hundreds of houses are being built on either side of Limerick Road just east of the Grand River, close to a bald eagle habitat where the birds nest for the winter. The survey abuts Doon River, Riveredge and Ridge golf courses, and Pioneer Sportsman Club green space.

Between Nov. 15 and March 31, the developer Brookpoint Estates Inc. was barred from noisy indoor and outdoor construction work on homes closer to the river.

But builders told council Tuesday new homeowners are at risk if the houses are not finished on time.

“Every single home in the subdivision is sold,” said Kathy Di Silvestro of Crystal Homes, one of the two builders of the massive subdivision.

She said 460 families are expected to move in next year.

Di Silvestro blamed a six-week trades strike earlier this year for construction delays that put the team behind schedule.

She also said it wasn’t fair to stop them from finishing work especially because the region and city approved nearby road work on Fountain Street.

“I really feel that we need to allow them to finish these homes,” Coun. Donna Reid said.

But some councillors weren’t happy with the request.

“They are pushing us tonight, trying to make us feel sorry — which we do — for the people who bought the homes,” Coun. Jan Liggett said.

She added that council is not responsible for the developer’s failure to be able to finish construction on time. She was the only councillor to vote against the motion.

The request was also taken with a bitter note by council because the developer did break construction rules earlier this year.

In February, the city learned Brookpoint was doing loud construction work past the dictated timeline.

The city got a court injunction to stop work.

“We are no longer protecting the bald eagle by saying ‘no construction,'” Coun. Pam Wolf said.

She noted council should not let “vindictiveness” get in the way of making a decision.

Some nearby residents weren’t happy with the request either.

“Any change to these conditions is a reward for the developer,” said nearby resident Gary Lonsbury who claims the developer often works outside dictated times.

“We ask you to not reward bad behaviour.”

Di Silvestro said work was done during winter months because of a misunderstanding.

She explained that the developer and builders thought it was all right to go ahead with construction work since they put extra measures in place.

The strict construction rules exist because of an earlier Ontario Municipal Board settlement meant to protect bald eagles as they nest for the winter.

Earlier this year, the developer built a noise wall and instated a bald eagle monitoring program to reduce harm to the birds.

Bald eagles are not endangered or threatened but are considered a “species of concern” by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

This means the species may become threatened or endangered.